Defying pressure from right-wing Brahmin groups like the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Mahasabha (ABBM), theatres across Maharashtra on Friday went ahead with first day screening of the multiple award-winning Marathi film Dashakriya .
Early in the day, in a major boost to the film-makers, the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court quashed a petition of the Purohit Sangh in Paithan to ban the screening of the film.
The petition had claimed that the film, directed by Sandeep Patil, contained a number of derogatory references to the purohit community by portraying them as money-minded individuals, and that the tenor of the film was generally defamatory of Hindu traditions and rituals. It further alleged that screening of the film could lead to social tensions between communities.
However, judges S.S. Shinde and Mangesh Patil, upholding the artistic freedom of the film-makers, dismissed the outfit’s petition.
Unsuccessful protests
While there were limp protests by other Brahmin outfits in places like Nashik, the screenings largely proceeded without incident. Police security too was present in some districts to avoid untoward events during screenings.
In a number of places, the ban called by Brahmin outfits was successfully opposed by outfits like the anti-Brahmin, pro-Maratha Sambhaji Brigade.
The screening was temporarily disrupted in a theatre in Aurangabad’s Prozone Mall after activists of the Purohit Sangh burst in and raised slogans against the alleged objectionable content against Brahmins depicted in the film.
However, they were countered by activists from the Sambhaji Brigade. While a heated verbal exchange ensued between the rival groups, the screening was resumed and proceeded uneventfully thereafter.
Screened in Pune
In Pune, theatre owners unanimously decided to go ahead with the screening of the film.
The show was screened at the City Pride Multiplex centres, as well as in smaller theatres like Mangala Talkies. Both City Pride and Mangala had on Thursday halted bookings temporarily owing to pressure from outfits like the ABBM.
“Our 3: 30 p.m. screening went without serious incident…while today being a weekday, the rush for the show was comparatively less, we expect an increase in moviegoers over the weekend,” said Pushkaraj Chaphalkar, owner, City Pride Multiplex.
On Thursday evening, the Sambhaji Brigade conferred with theatre owners and lent its support to the screening of the film.
Brigade activists stationed themselves at various theatres across the city anticipating opposition from Brahmin groups.
“We urged theatre owners and they accordingly resumed bookings of the film. Online bookings, which were temporarily cancelled, too picked up as the day progressed,” said Sambhaji Brigade leader Santosh Shinde.
